How do you like to communicate?

I spent a bit of time on Friday of last week, analysing how I communicate. To try and understand what my preferred method is?

It came from a session I did with part of the wider Difrent team. On sharing a message we want to get out in terms of who we are as an organisation. As a pictorial representation of the what and how we do things.

Working with our partner, Scriberia, we were asked to try and summarise our thoughts. Not in the words I feel most comfortable with, but as an image on a side of A3. To share with the group around me. In order to kick start the process of developing the kind of Rich Picture we provide as a service, to the organisations we work with.

The NHS Jobs Rich Picture we built for the NHS BSA

Faced with a blank canvas, a coloured pen – purple, I am a king after all – and a distinct lack of ability to draw. I started to draw. I started to try and convey a message I knew would be hard to follow without my words, but one I wanted to get across.

It had to reflect my team and the work they do. The successes we have achieved. Whilst also acknowledging the rest of the organisation. Some of which I only engage with on slack, or as a brief conversation when we do meet up.

The image had to fill the space, but not clutter the page. It needed to cover today and the many tomorrows to come. Change, delivery and strategy in harmony – not clashing and colliding.

I am not sure it really did that. It definitely didn’t make it into the first draft of the picture we are producing, but it did get me thinking.

As someone who seems to spend most of my time using WhatsApp, Slack or texting for ease and pace, it was a pause – a departure – from what I am comfortable with. To allow me the space to think about what it is I want to share.

I still prefer to give work messages verbally and in person. I am likely to carry on sending texts/WhatsApp updates to friends and family members – as I am not always sure what to say beyond that sentence on the screen.

But I am now tempted to pick up a pen. To grab a piece of paper and draw or map what is in my head. In preparation for the messages and the communications that will follow. To take advantage of the space, and sort through the many ideas I want to share before I do.